A neuropathologist once said: "Is there anything else that is equally accessible, enjoyable, low in calories, and at the same time exercising the body?" Abstracting from relationships, psychology, and cultural patterns, we have collected five facts about sex that scientifically explain why it is so good. By the way, silly jokes about "long sex" and "I have a headache again" have a lot of scientific bases.
As well as the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain
responsible for control, analysis and other signs of thinking), we got sexual
behavior in draft mode, an alpha version with many "bugs". We can
even say that this is a global experiment of evolution, which has not yet ended
and is far from being considered successful.
For example, man is the only species that has several
systems of mating behavior (monogamy, polygamy, polygamy, polyandry, and much
more). The reason for this is the speed of the evolutionary leap and the
development of the brain, which brought us out of the direct influence of
natural selection - the main condition for success was not so much genetically
transmitted information as extra genetically transmitted knowledge. In
different countries, generations quickly adapted to given conditions in the
form of geographic and social factors. Therefore, in Tibet, polyandry was
widespread (in such a model it was easier to survive), and in Europe - for
exactly the same reason - monogamy was established. And, apparently, right now
we are rapidly moving towards the model of single parenting because now you can
also survive that way.
How else does our behavior differ from the classical
patterns of sexual behavior in animals?
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First, a woman is the only female
animal that is capable of having sex
life continuously from the moment of puberty.
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Secondly (as if the first is not enough),
women are the only species, according to the external signs of which it is
impossible to determine ovulation and which itself does not know and does not
feel the moment of its ovulation.
Something similar can be observed except in vervet
monkeys, which, by the way, are not our direct ancestors. They live in group
marriages, they also ovulate latently, and the ability to have sex outside of
this period and the use of sex as an incentive contribute to the fact that
males take care of females and offspring all year round. However, even with
them, females cannot have sex all year round, but only in a certain period
before and after ovulation. Do you have any idea how lucky we really are?
A strange question, nevertheless studied by scientists
who even found the answer and can say how much sex costs according to our
feelings.
Dartmouth College economists in England surveyed 16,000
people about their sexual activity and
feelings of well-being. They found that increased sexual activity — going from
once a month to having love once a week — correlated with a rise in self-esteem
on the “happiness scale,” the equivalent of earning an additional $ 50,000 in
income. (And, contrary to stereotypes, those who earn more do not have sex more
often.) The happiest, according to these data, were married couples who had sex
a third more often than single ones. Economists estimate that a long, happy
marriage equates on a "happiness scale" with $ 100,000 in additional income
annually, and divorce is equivalent to about $ 66,000 in annual losses.
In a study at Duke University, scientists monitored the lifestyles
of 252 people for 25 years in an effort to determine what factors affect its
duration. Among other factors, the frequency of intercourse, as well as
pleasure from sex, were taken into account. It turned out that in relation to
men, the frequency of intercourse was a significant factor in increasing life
expectancy. As for women, this indicator did not play a special role: life
expectancy was higher for women who claim to be satisfied with the sex.
Three times a week in a stress-free relationship can help
you look 10 years younger, according to
scientific research more than 3,500 men
and women between 18 and 102 years old and concluded that our appearance
depends on genetics only 25%, and the rest is determined by lifestyle.
In this
study, experts had to determine the age of people by observing them through a
one-way mirror. Those men and women whose age was underestimated by 7–12 years
were called super-young, and the most obvious common factor in the “super
young” lifestyle was an active sex life. They reported having sex at least
three times a week (control subjects averaged twice a week). Scientists offer
one explanation for this phenomenon: sexual activity in women promotes the
production of the hormone growth hormone, which helps maintain a youthful
appearance. In addition, sex improves metabolism, and love relationships
themselves serve as an incentive to take care of Belfast escorts appearance and
keep themselves in shape.
Another important hormone associated with sexual activity
is DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), the level of which rises several times
compared to the usual one right before the onset of orgasm. According to some
reports, DHEA improves the functioning of the brain, the condition of the skin,
heart, and blood vessels, and also balances the immune system.
The list of health benefits from sex can be continued for
a long time, making it several times longer. It may be time to start a sex
promotion campaign, following the healthy food campaign as an example.
Get it straight to the point: Orgasms can help relieve
some types of pain. A number of recent research studies have shown that women
who regularly reach orgasm have a higher pain threshold for conditions such as
lumbago or arthritis. This is likely due to the fact that oxytocin levels
increase fivefold before orgasm, which in turn releases endorphins that relieve
pain. Increasing estrogen production in women can also relieve PMS pain.
If a woman says, “Not today, I have a headache,” that
doesn't make any sense, as a number of recent research studies have indicated
that orgasm reduces migraine pain. Of the 52 migraine sufferers, 16 reported
significant relief after orgasm, and in 8 others the headache resolved
completely. In a more recent, similar study, another 83 women with migraines
were involved: orgasm served as a pain reliever for about half of them.
In general, pleasure works as well as pills, but it works
faster, has no side effects, and is cheaper. So if a woman suddenly refuses to
have sex because of a headache, it is likely that she simply does not get an
orgasm within the framework of this relationship.
How much and how often should you have sex? The answer,
of course, is purely individual, but interesting figures still exist. So, the
average statistics of the sexual life of couples is not impressive and reports
on the duration of intercourse from three to seven minutes with an average
value of about five minutes. At the tenth minute, records begin, which are
available to less than 12% of couples.
On that note, it's time to get back to science. One of
the parts of our peripheral nervous system - the autonomic nervous system - is
responsible for the activity of internal organs, glands of internal and
external secretion, blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as some of the
muscles. In turn, it is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic parts - in
fact, it is a gas and a brake in our body. The sympathetic part of the nervous
system is adrenaline, norepinephrine, energy release. Parasympathetic is a decrease
in heart rate, increased pressure, recovery.
The experiment showed that if the act lasts up to 10
minutes, the partners have a predominant sympathetic response to orgasm. But if
intercourse lasts longer, the body independently rebuilds itself to
parasympathetic - simply in order to support itself and restore the expended
strength. As a result, both partners receive a charge of vivacity, energy, and
spiritual closeness with each other. So the length of the "act of
love" is of great importance: consider that sex under 10 minutes is not
very good for your health.
All of the above facts about how we are arranged in terms
of sexuality help to look at our actions and desires from the side opposite to
emotions. Therefore, we deliberately did not include facts on the topic of
"hormones of happiness and love" in them.
Many of the studies above may sound ridiculous, but they help
you to think seriously and openly comprehend one of the most enjoyable
activities available to humans. After all, if we remove the taint of cultural
connotations, including imposed social roles, external stresses, and
inhibitions, sex is a healthy and rewarding activity that helps us look better,
live longer, and get sick less.